M’s rumors: Mariners reportedly out on Matt Kemp, in on Dayan Viciedo

The Mariners have cooled on Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp, according to CBS Sports. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Update, 10:18 a.m., Dec. 11: According to widespread reports, the Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to trade Matt Kemp to the San Diego Padres.

It seems, as the MLB’s Winter Meetings begin winding down, that the Seattle Mariners have backed out of the sweepstakes for outfielder Matt Kemp.

CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman reported Tuesday that the Mariners — along with fellow potential suitors Baltimore and Texas — are out on Kemp, the hard-hitting Dodgers outfielder who has drawn lots of trade interest this offseason. The most likely destination for the nine-year veteran could be San Diego, according to Heyman.

hear orioles, rangers and mariners, 3 early kemp players, are all out on him. seems like might be padres or bust.

The Mariners are in the market for a starting outfield after trading Michael Saunders to Toronto last week in return for left-hand pitcher J.A. Happ. Seattle has shown interest in Kemp this offseason, but also in such outfield targets as Melky Cabrera and Dayan Viciedo.

The Mariners also seem unable to persuade the Los Angeles Dodgers to relent on an insistence that either right-hander Taijuan Walker or lefty James Paxton be included in a deal for outfielder Matt Kemp.

A five-year veteran, Viciedo batted .231 last season in 145 games for Chicago, and slapped 21 home runs and 22 doubles while driving in 58 runs. He earned $2.8 million last year and is eligible for arbitration, but is under club control until he becomes a free agent in 2018.

<p><b>Updated:</b> Cabrera signed with the Chicago White Sox for three years and $42 million.</p>
<p><del><b><big>Melky Cabrera | Outfielder | Toronto Blue Jays</del></p></big>
<p>2014 stats: 139 G, .301 BA, 16 HR, 73 RBI</b></p>
<p>The 30-year-old is rumored to be at the <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/writer/jon-heyman/24869824/mariners-are-trying-now-for-melky-cabrera-to-go-with-cruz-and-cano">top of the M's wish list</a> after a bounce-back season in Toronto, and Seattle is thought by some to be the favorite to land the switch-hitting outfielder. Cabrera is a close friend of Robinson Cano's from when the pair played together in New York, and his addition would give the Mariners a true contact hitter at the top of the lineup. He won't come cheap, though, and may command a deal equal to the four-year, $57 million signed by Nelson Cruz.</p> less

<p><b><big>Alex Rios | Outfielder | Texas Rangers</p></big>
<p>2014 stats: 131 G, .280 BA, 4 HR, 54 RBIs</b></p>
<p>If Seattle can't lure Cabrera the Northwest, Rios would be a fallback option that wouldn't cost the Mariners any trade chips. The 33-year-old wouldn't offer the same kind of impact offensively, but he's just two seasons removed from a 2012 season when he hit .304 with 25 home runs and 91 RBIs with the White Sox. He would also be a defensive upgrade from Cabrera and wouldn't break the bank, likely demanding no more than a one- or two-year deal. </p> less

<p><b>Updated:</b> Kemp was traded to the San Diego Padres for catcher Yasmani Grandal and two pitching prospects.</p>
<p><del><b><big>Matt Kemp | Outfielder | Los Angeles Dodgers</del></p></big>
<p>2014 stats: 150 G, .287 BA, 25 HR, 89 RBI</b></p>
<p>If GM Jack Zduriencik decides he wants to go the trade route, Kemp makes a lot of sense. The two-time All-Star had a great 2014 season after struggling through injuries in 2012 and 2013, but he carries a massive contract that will pay him over $100 million over the next five years. The Dodgers would likely eat some of that money to move him out of an overcrowded outfield, but that will drive up the cost to obtain him. The M's are reportedly competing with San Diego and Baltimore to obtain Kemp's services.</p> less

<p><b><big>Justin Upton | Outfielder | Atlanta Braves</p></big>
<p>2014 stats: 154 G, .270 BA, 29 HR, 102 RBI</b></p>
<p>Upton is another trade target, but as he's a free agent after the season and has expressed no interest in signing a contract extension, his price will likely be much lower. The 27-year-old is a two-time All-Star and removed the Mariners from his no-trade list, but how much would they give up to get a player who's essentially a one-year rental? Then again, how often to players averaging 26 home runs, 84 RBIs and 15 stolen bases become available in their prime?</p> less

<p><b><big>Justin Upton | Outfielder | Atlanta Braves</p></big>
<p>2014 stats: 154 G, .270 BA, 29 HR, 102 RBI</b></p>
<p>Upton is another trade target, but as he's a free agent after the season and has ... more

Photo: Kevin Liles / Getty Images

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<p><b>Updated:</b> Cespedes was traded to the Detroit Tigers for pitchers Rick Porcello, Alex Wilson and Gabe Speier.</p>
<p><del><b><big>Yoenis Cespedes | Outfielder | Boston Red Sox</del></p></big>
<p>2014 stats: 152 G, .260 BA, 22 HR, 100 RBI</b></p>
<p>That same question applies to Cespedes, the 29-year-old Cuban star who was traded to the Red Sox from Oakland last season. He's apparently worn out his welcome in Boston and can be had for the right price. Cespedes has averaged 28 home runs and 102 RBIs in three MLB seasons and has a cannon for an outfield arm, but he'll be looking for a megadeal after next year. The Red Sox <a href="http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/mariners-in-trade-talks-to-acquire-big-name-hitter-matt-kemp-yoenis-cespedes-justin-upton-112514">reportedly have interest in Hisashi Iwakuma</a>, but that seems like too heavy a price to pay for the Cuban slugger.</p> less